Advice for Fearing Job Change - Tips on How to Decide if it is Time

Advice for Fearing Job Change - Tips on How to Decide if it is Time
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The Great Recession

The Great Recession, as some called it, began in the United States in December of 2007 and despite economists declaring the recession was over in 2009, many Americans - and people in other countries - still believe we are in a recession today, as we close in on the end of 2010 and enter into 2011. The unemployment rate in the US hovers around 9.7%, which is the highest it has ever been, coming as close to 10% nation wide.

With such high unemployment, many of today’s employees are still worried about losing their current jobs. In a normal economic situation, it is not unheard of for a worker to consider changing jobs. There are many reasons for someone to move from one job to another, including career changes or even wanting more opportunities that may be offered at another firm or company. However, with the current economic outlook, many workers are afraid to move from their current jobs, a very real fear that it may be some time before they are able to get back into the job market if they were to leave.

In this article, we go over some advice for fearing job change and some steps you can take to get over it.

Advice for Fearing Job Change

First and foremost, it is perfectly normal to worry about leaving a current job for one that may be on the horizon. That has been true in the best of economic times, but seems to be even more previlent in today’s economic downturn. With the US’ unemployment hovering at a steady 9.2% as of September 2010 makes the thought of changing jobs even scarier. However, in most cases, leaving a current job for something better - whether it be in a better city, has a better pay scale, or offers better insurance - is still a good motivator for employees to change.

The number one fear changing jobs is finding another job.

In economic prosperity, most employees will have another job lined up before they leave their current job or finding their next job will only take a few months depending on what types of skills and abilities that plan to bring to the new job, as well as which career field they are entering. During the Great Recession, employees who ended up being laid off or who lost their jobs were shocked and dismayed to discover that, for some, it took nearly a year or even more before they were able to find a job and for many, the jobs they have found either do not pay what they had been making before or they do not have the same type of perks and resources that their last job offered.

The best advice is to make sure that you plan your job leave in advance. This may be difficult if you suddenly find yourself with a pink slip or being laid off, but the best laid plans are the ones that will get you through. If you feel that it is becoming clear it is time to quit your job, then you should start looking for other jobs or ways to support yourself when you leave your current job. For many of those that became unemployed during this crisis, a career change seemed evident. Some went back to school to earn degrees they had always wanted or degrees they felt would help in the current climate; some began to start their own businesses.

The one thing to remember about fearing job change is that it can keep you in the same place for years, despite you not wanting to be there. In life there is risk and sometimes, taking risk is the scariest thing to do. If you set plans in place, such as making sure you have enough money to live off of, you may be able to sit back and decide what it is you want to do. Don’t forget that there are also part time jobs that can help bring money in, and many people have discovered freelancing as an extra means of income.